Africa Program
Status: Active, started in 1983
Active projects within this program:- East Africa Project (1991 – )
- Madagascar Project (1990 – )
Background:
Biodiversity in Africa and its associated islands is threatened by the needs of the human population, which is growing at an unsustainable rate. Conservation in Africa needs to expand from its historical approach of preservation in parks and reserves to one of humans co-existing with wildlife.
Nearly one-third of the world's diurnal raptors and a quarter of the world’s owl species occur in Africa and its associated islands. Considerable research has been completed on birds of prey in southern Africa but much remains to be done elsewhere on the continent. Studies also are needed on the importance of winter ranges for birds of prey migrating from the Palearctic zone (Europe, northern Africa, and most of Asia).
Since 1990, our Pan Africa Program has worked to identify priorities for raptor conservation across the continent and provide direction and communication to help ensure species survival.
Recent Results:
2010 Results
- Maintained the online African Raptor Network to encourage the exchange of ideas and information among raptor biologists and enthusiasts.
- Contributed more than a third of the chapters on eagle species for The Eagle Watchers, published in 2010.
No research grants were provided by the Pan Africa Program in FY10 outside of the East Africa and Madagascar Projects because the global economic recession limited our ability to raise sufficient funds. We hope this situation will improve in coming years.
African Raptor Network
The African Raptor Network list server and website was developed in 2008 and is maintained by The Peregrine Fund’s Pan Africa Program. It has grown in popularity for African raptor biologists and enthusiasts as a platform to discuss and exchange ideas pertaining to African raptors. We began a series of interviews with eminent raptor biologists who have conducted long-term studies on African raptors with the aim of providing mentorship and inspiration to young African students. For example, see the interview with The Peregrine Fund's International Programs Director, Rick Watson. There are currently 153 members on the list server.
The Eagle Watchers
A new book entitled The Eagle Watchers, published in 2010, was written by leading eagle researchers around the world, many of them from Africa, who shared their field and personal experiences of studying eagles in the wild. Ten (nearly 35%) of the 29 chapters on eagle species were written by people who are associated with The Peregrine Fund, either as employees, former employees, or past students. This is a fitting tribute to the role The Peregrine Fund plays as a leading global raptor research and conservation organization.
Project Links:
| Project History | (no field notes) |
| Publications and Data | Other Information |
| Photos and Videos |
Location Note:
The African continent and Madagascar
Species involved
People involved in this project:
Cooperating Partners:
- Boise State University
- Elsamere Conservation Center
- Makerere University
- National Museums of Kenya
- Nature Kenya
- NatureUganda
- St. Lawrence University
- Uganda Wildlife Authority
- University of Exeter
- University of Leicester U.K.
- Madagascar Ministry of Environment and Forestry
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- Projet Masoala
- Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation
- Conservation International Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
- Little Family Foundation
Combined Federal Campaign # 10639
